Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Rumours of Deputy Rabbitte's demise are greatly exaggerated. There has been no change to the Government decision to have the budget on 7 December.

Regarding the children's referendum, I cannot give a date for when the work currently being undertaken by the Minister of State and the Government will be completed. We are pursuing this matter. I expect that whatever emerges from the Government's consideration of the matter will come back for discussion in the Parliament in whatever committee it wishes to hold it.

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